Because Estate Car
Discussion
gizlaroc said:
Well, not sure what to do?
I put an ad up on eBay last night for my E350 estate, and already had 3 wanting to come and see it, but having second thoughts.
I have a 530d Touring as well, which I do really like apart from the engine. I just don;t like diesel. Don't get me wrong it is fine, and fairly refined for a diesel, but getting back in the silky smooth V6 petrol is just so nice.
Plus the Merc has 7 seats, roughly the same MPG as the diesel BMW, no cost saving anyway, the difference in MPG is gobbled up by fuel prices.
I like the BMW, prefer the E61 to the F11 as more driver focused, and do actually find the BMW better than the Merc is many ways, love the seats on the BMW, so comfy with so much adjustment, prefer the lighter interior, the pano roof adds some elegance again, but the fact it is a diesel just spoils it.
The idea was sell the Merc and use the money to buy a 1970s Mercedes SL350, something that is going up in value, but I think I will miss the E350 and if I let it go I will never find another one. Only 21 saloon, coupe and estates made with the M276 engine for the UK over the 2 year period they were built. So probably only 6 estates out there.
I should get close to £12k for the Merc, and around £6k for the 530d. Decisions to be made.
Sell both and get a 530i? Or an M5 touring! I put an ad up on eBay last night for my E350 estate, and already had 3 wanting to come and see it, but having second thoughts.
I have a 530d Touring as well, which I do really like apart from the engine. I just don;t like diesel. Don't get me wrong it is fine, and fairly refined for a diesel, but getting back in the silky smooth V6 petrol is just so nice.
Plus the Merc has 7 seats, roughly the same MPG as the diesel BMW, no cost saving anyway, the difference in MPG is gobbled up by fuel prices.
I like the BMW, prefer the E61 to the F11 as more driver focused, and do actually find the BMW better than the Merc is many ways, love the seats on the BMW, so comfy with so much adjustment, prefer the lighter interior, the pano roof adds some elegance again, but the fact it is a diesel just spoils it.
The idea was sell the Merc and use the money to buy a 1970s Mercedes SL350, something that is going up in value, but I think I will miss the E350 and if I let it go I will never find another one. Only 21 saloon, coupe and estates made with the M276 engine for the UK over the 2 year period they were built. So probably only 6 estates out there.
I should get close to £12k for the Merc, and around £6k for the 530d. Decisions to be made.
JamesRR said:
Sell both and get a 530i? Or an M5 touring!
M5 Touring I never got on with, I simply didn't like the SMG in that sort of car. Loved it in my M3 and CSL, but didn't suit the M5, plus I really would like 30mpg from a family wagon doing 20-25k miles a year. 530i is a good shout, but would only own an LCI E61 and most seem to be the N53 engine which has a few issues.
I loved my F11 interior wise but found the cart a bit souless, it was very comfy but not very dynamic, hence I moved it on quickly and bough the Merc, just thought if going comfort might as well go the whole hog.
I think in my heart I know I should just keep the Merc, probably regret selling it as soon as it was gone.
gareth_r said:
Just acquired - Outback 3.0.
It's not easy to find a big quickish petrol estate at short notice.
I was tired of trying to squeeze DIY and garden supplies, and the resulting waste, into a saloon, so when said 230,000-mile saloon started going into limp mode intermittently, an estate was the obvious solution.
Yes, it needs a door mirror, but the electrics work, so it can wait until I find a "pre-owned" one for reasonable money.
Jolly well done. My 2.5 Outback was on the verge of a big bill or two when a wannabe Vatanen smashed its front end in (oo-er) on the lane near home. It's not easy to find a big quickish petrol estate at short notice.
I was tired of trying to squeeze DIY and garden supplies, and the resulting waste, into a saloon, so when said 230,000-mile saloon started going into limp mode intermittently, an estate was the obvious solution.
Yes, it needs a door mirror, but the electrics work, so it can wait until I find a "pre-owned" one for reasonable money.
Needing a replacement and with only the insurance settlement in hand, I turned up this badly advertised lpg 3.0. The ad didn't mention the two box files of history, nor the then recent new Prinz lpg system, nor the costly tappet service, nor the new matching set of Vredestein quattracs, nor the full tank{s} of fuel.
Bought from the right owner, and I'd suggest that those who bought a 3.0 Outback new with their own money must set some sort of benchmark here, it makes a compelling proposition.
So far, so boring. But when the vvt comes in - the engine is an absolute peach from 3.5k! The way it gathers speed in from there in sport mode is extraordinary, given that it's naturally aspirated and hamstrung by its slushbox. Sharpish turn-in negates understeer, and you can explore where the grip finally runs out seemingly without end.
Civilised and capable, rorty and grin inducing, without - touch wood - any of the "whacking great bill" tendencies so common amongst its efficient German cousins.
20k miles and a year and a bit on, I've nothing to report from the garagiste other than replaced pads front and rear twice, tyres (more quattracs, Camskill your friends here, theym great out yere wherem we live monner) new droplinks and quite a few bushes, but other than welding a wee hole in the exhaust and oil/filter every 5,000 I'm still doing 400 ish miles a week with ne'er a worry.
Long may it continue: I love this car in a way I haven't felt since my (admittedly very unglamorous) Alfa/Lancia days.
Enjoy yours
Mr E said:
It's not 50%. It's 46.7% which means I get more value out of my existing words on finance threads elsewhere, making borrowing the wordsworth it.
If it were 50% or more it would not be worth having the finance thread here, and I would therefore use the finance words that I have in the bank and own the thread outright.
If it were 50% or more it would not be worth having the finance thread here, and I would therefore use the finance words that I have in the bank and own the thread outright.
djdest said:
Interesting post re the Merc and BMW.
I’ve just sold my 320d Touring and have got E350 and E61 on my short list. I’m siding towards a 530d or 535d rather than the Merc.
I’m basing that on liking the engine from my old 330d though
Both have benefits. I’ve just sold my 320d Touring and have got E350 and E61 on my short list. I’m siding towards a 530d or 535d rather than the Merc.
I’m basing that on liking the engine from my old 330d though
Talking LCI e61 here, and MY12 build S212 E350.
BMW is 'slightly' more driver focused.
Merc is comfier and doesn't lose out much to the BMW in dynamics.
Merc has the better gear box (MY12 got the 7G "plus" 'box)
BMW seats much better, only BMW I have ever preferred the non sport seats in.
I had the 535d sport touring before, sport seats in that were actually a bit pants, the seats in this SE are amazingly good.
Seat in the Merc are still good, but the front doesn't tilt up enough to support under your knees.
Tech in the Merc is better than the BMW, but we are crossing generations here.
Adaptive xenons in Merc work better than the adaptive xenons in the BMW.
Stereo sounds better in Merc, plus better nav, bluetooth audio, media interface was all part of the comand, BMW often still has aux only and no bluetooth streaming up till around 2009.
Merc build is much better than the BMW when it comes to things like suspension etc.
The W212 E Class has really top notch control arms, bushes, struts, springs etc. etc.
I know the head tech at my Merc dealer well, he said that where as they used to have 2 or 3 W211 E Classes in every day to sort suspension clunking etc. They get 1 or 2 a month with the W212.
Most E60/1's will need suspension parts replacing now, the firmer set up combined with run flats take their toll, I looked at a few up to £8000 recently and all felt clunky.
I bought this one and changed anti roll bar bushes, drop links, control arms and top mounts before I was happy. Oh, and ditched the run flats too.
The final thing is load space, the E Class is massive inside compared with the 5 Series, you can get so much more in the rear, and if you find one with 7 seats they can be very handy if you have kids.
Who wouldnt have an estate over the saloon equivalent?
Serial tart here apart from an 8y flirtation with an SUV which was even bigger behind the economy seats.
Very fondly remember my old man's yellow Mk3 Cortina estate which may have set the mould
Prams, dogs, bikes, cellos, rubbish tip stuff, IKEA, house moves, B&Q, uni trips, weddings, funerals, etc etc etc
Currently in a current debadged 335d which kicks ass and does 50mpg on the motorway but about to embrace my inner wagon and am considering a bargetastic Volvo V90 in the autumn.
Cheers
Matttrakker said:
Back in the estate fold, sold my Golf r and bought this C350. I was aiming for a q5 then tried one hated it and tried this and loved it. Thoroughly Excellent Labrador and kids transport
Labrador and kids sure, but how about you, the driver? Likes/dislikes relative to the R? 
Literally wasn't a single Estate on BMW AUC I also can't stand to buy a SUV
After running a S6 5.2 V10 Saloon for 3 years the frequent visits to the petrol station gets boring (220 from a tank)
A change in job and more miles led me this
Yes its 518d estate M Sport - its not fast but super smooth and suits me and first tank of fuel yielded 660 from a full tank (mixed driving)
The reason for not wanting a fast family car is
After running a S6 5.2 V10 Saloon for 3 years the frequent visits to the petrol station gets boring (220 from a tank)
A change in job and more miles led me this
Yes its 518d estate M Sport - its not fast but super smooth and suits me and first tank of fuel yielded 660 from a full tank (mixed driving)
The reason for not wanting a fast family car is
Edited by Ej74 on Friday 18th May 08:18
gizlaroc said:
Both have benefits.
Talking LCI e61 here, and MY12 build S212 E350.
snip...
Cheers, lots to consider!Talking LCI e61 here, and MY12 build S212 E350.
snip...
I'm looking at a budget of 10k, 11 at a stretch if something really tempts me.
BMW wise, I would only ever consider an LCI, mainly for CIC idrive.
I fitted combox for streaming audio to both of my old e91's, so thats not a problem.
I used it for connectedapps more than anything though.
I need full ipod control, but have'nt looked into what the Merc can offer for that yet, or what I would need to look out for.
Aux in isn't an option for various reasons.
I'm starting to lean towards the Merc simply as I've had two BMW's in a row and fancy something different.
Onehp said:
Labrador and kids sure, but how about you, the driver? Likes/dislikes relative to the R?
Well I had it about a week, it’s great, love the power low down and the gearbox is particularly smooth. It’s not as rapid and begging to go as the R at all but a lot more comfortable on the 50 mile trip to work, it’s not slow at all and the sound inside is quite nice surprisingly. The reason I turned away from vw Audi was the unnecessarily complicated systems for the dash and heating etc. I started to get annoyed with it when test driving an A6, the Merc is fairly simple straightforward and intuitive. It’s rather grown up and it might help me do that too!
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